Stumbling Blocks

Jesus warns that stumbling blocks will inevitably appear, and urges drastic action to remove anything that causes spiritual fall. The passage uses stark imagery—cutting off a hand, plucking out an eye—to press the urgency of avoiding eternal loss rather than preserving temporary comfort. The Christian life functions as a walk with two clear directions: a wide, easy road that leads to destruction and a narrow gate that leads to life. Along the narrow way, Satan plants traps—materialism, false teachers, bad companions, and temptation—to trip the faithful and derail their progress. Practical examples and Scripture warnings illustrate how each of these can entangle a person: material wealth can harden the heart; corrupted teaching can distort the gospel; close associations can erode godly habits; and personal lusts can birth sin unless met with disciplined resistance.

The teaching also identifies barriers God places along the broad road to confront and redirect the lost. Natural revelation—from the complexity of creation to the intricate design of the human body—acts as evidence that compels honest reflection about a Creator. The conscience serves as an internal witness, pricking the heart and prompting questions that can lead to repentance. The visible life of faithful believers, and the church’s faithful proclamation and teaching, function as obstacles to continued sin for those on the broad way. Finally, the certainty of a coming judgment stands as the ultimate deterrent: an accountable reckoning described in Revelation starkly contrasts the temporary allure of the broad way with eternal consequences.

The material urges decisive, sometimes radical, steps to eliminate sources of falling—whether by changing habits, relocating temptations into public view, or severing harmful ties. It balances stern warning with pastoral practicality: God provides a way of escape from temptation, and repentance, baptism, and faithful teaching offer a clear path from destruction back to life. The call invites those who travel the broad road to recognize the stumbling blocks God has placed and to respond by turning toward the narrow gate.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Remove stumbling blocks without hesitation Decisive action trumps gradual compromise when sin threatens spiritual life. Radical choices—cutting off access to tempting devices or removing enablers—may feel extreme but protect eternal destinations. Prioritizing long-term fidelity over short-term comfort aligns daily decisions with the pursuit of life. [02:22]
• 2. Wealth must serve kingdom priorities Possessions test the heart’s loyalties; riches become a snare when they replace trust in God. Generosity, good works, and using wealth to build a spiritual foundation reveal obedience beyond mere ownership. True security flows from stewardship, not accumulation. [08:20]
• 3. Guard against deceptive teaching Distorted gospels and greedy teachers prey on wants and confuse truth with novelty. Discernment requires constant testing of doctrine against Scripture and refusal to accept convenient compromises. Protecting the flock starts with refusing to tolerate false instruction. [12:11]
• 4. Choose companions with kingdom wisdom Close relationships shape habits and convictions; unwise companions erode righteousness over time. Intentional association with those who pursue godliness strengthens resolve and guards against moral drift. Friendship can either harden or heal the heart. [15:59]
• 5. Use God’s barriers as turning points Evidence in creation, a pricked conscience, faithful Christian witness, and the reality of judgment confront the broad way with reasons to change. These barriers aim to awaken honest reflection and compel repentance toward the narrow gate. Responding to them transforms deterrence into conversion. [30:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:54] - Matthew 18:7–9 on stumbling blocks
• [04:13] - The Christian life as a walk
• [05:55] - Two paths: narrow and broad
• [08:20] - Stumbling block: materialism
• [11:48] - Stumbling block: false teachers
• [15:59] - Stumbling block: bad companions
• [18:20] - Stumbling block: temptation and escape
• [21:55] - Radical steps to remove sin
• [22:32] - God's stumbling block: evidence of God
• [25:37] - Conscience and conviction
• [27:18] - Church and witness as stumbling block
• [30:37] - Judgment to come and Revelation
• [32:07] - Invitation and call

1. According to Jesus, what is the ultimate consequence of not dealing with the things that cause us to stumble?
2. What are the two different paths described in Matthew 7:13-14, and what is the destination of each? [05:55]
3. What are the four specific stumbling blocks placed by Satan along the narrow way, as outlined in the sermon? [06:38]
4. What are the four types of "stumbling blocks" or barriers that God places along the broad way to confront the lost? [21:55]

1. Jesus uses extreme language about cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye. Since this is not meant to be taken literally, what is the principle He is trying to communicate about how we should view sin? [03:25]
2. How can material wealth, which is a blessing from God, become a dangerous trap that hardens a person's heart and distracts them from spiritual priorities? [08:20]
3. Why are close relationships so powerful in shaping a person's spiritual life, for both good and bad? [15:59]
4. The conscience is described as an internal witness from God. How can a person's conscience be mistrained, and why does it still serve as an important barrier against sin? [25:37]

1. What is one specific "hand" or "eye" in your life—a habit, relationship, or possession—that you know is a stumbling block and may require a radical, decisive step to remove?
2. Looking at your financial priorities and spending, does your use of money reveal a heart that trusts in God's provision or one that is seeking security in wealth? What is one practical step you could take this week to better align your finances with kingdom priorities? [08:20]
3. Think about the people you spend the most time with. Do these relationships encourage you toward godliness or pull you toward the values of the world? What might it look like to be more intentional in pursuing friendships that strengthen your faith? [15:59]
4. When you are tempted, do you actively look for the "way of escape" that God promises to provide, or do you often give in? What is one temptation where you need to rely more on God's faithfulness to help you endure? [18:20]
5. How can you be a more effective "stumbling block" for someone on the broad path through your words, actions, and the example of your life? [27:18]
6. The reality of a final judgment is a powerful deterrent. How does the certainty of one day giving an account to God for your "deeds" influence the choices you are making today? [30:37]